Pain, fullness, and hope.
\nWhen three Arabic letters are \u201crearranged\u201d, they can make these three different words. It was this emotive blend that infused content for around 200 students at a recent regional conference in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
\nAmid war, violence, political instability, economic insecurity, and persecution, the students from nine different countries had much to lament. But they were also encouraged that the fullness of Christ brings hope and healing.
\nThese candid comments give a sense of their experiences:
\n\u201cI was a very committed member of another faith. So, when a pastor I met gave me a Bible, I only read it to prove it all wrong. But Jesus opened my eyes. Now I\u2019ve become his follower, and my goal is to bring to Jesus the many people around me who are also searching and dissatisfied. Even though it\u2019s very dangerous, I\u2019m constantly seeing people put their trust in Jesus.\u201d (Hassan from B city)
\n\u201cIn one of the talks, we were encouraged as a Christian minority not to leave our country so that the Christian presence doesn\u2019t further decrease. I agree with that. But it seems impossible \u2013 as an English teacher working two jobs, I don’t even earn enough to make ends meet.\u201d (Malika from Cairo)
\n\u201cI love Jesus more than anything and want to be a witness for him in my community. But the suffering I experienced as a child in my family, a terrible explosion in my city, and recent months of bombing \u2013 all this has left its mark on me. I suffer from panic attacks and anxiety disorders. Can Jesus heal me?\u201d (Rabiaa from Lebanon)
\n\u201cI was allowed to come here with some other female students. All men under 40 were denied visas. For most of us, this is our first trip outside the country. It\u2019s the first time we\u2019ve seen the sea or touched sand, even though it\u2019s not that far from our hometown. Our lives are really complicated, and our presence as Christians in the West Bank is made very difficult. How long can we endure? Which of our brothers and sisters outside our region are interested in us?\u201d (Selima from Palestine \u2013 pictured above)
\n\u201cWith two fellow believers, I made the dangerous journey from our country. We drove through the desert for 33 hours so that we could leave without attracting attention. And what a special experience it has been to praise God together with so many Christians, to listen to his Word, to share with one another. Please pray for us, for our safety as Christians, and for our witness to Jesus to bear fruit.\u201d (Karim from a country on the Arabian Peninsula)
\n(Names changed to protect identities)
\nThe post Feeling Pain and Hope appeared first on IFES.
\n", "content_text": "Pain, fullness, and hope. \n\n\n\nWhen three Arabic letters are \u201crearranged\u201d, they can make these three different words. It was this emotive blend that infused content for around 200 students at a recent regional conference in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. \n\n\n\nAmid war, violence, political instability, economic insecurity, and persecution, the students from nine different countries had much to lament. But they were also encouraged that the fullness of Christ brings hope and healing. \n\n\n\nVoicing Pain and Hope \n\n\n\nThese candid comments give a sense of their experiences: \n\n\n\n\u201cI was a very committed member of another faith. So, when a pastor I met gave me a Bible, I only read it to prove it all wrong. But Jesus opened my eyes. Now I\u2019ve become his follower, and my goal is to bring to Jesus the many people around me who are also searching and dissatisfied. Even though it\u2019s very dangerous, I\u2019m constantly seeing people put their trust in Jesus.\u201d (Hassan from B city) \n\n\n\n\u201cIn one of the talks, we were encouraged as a Christian minority not to leave our country so that the Christian presence doesn\u2019t further decrease. I agree with that. But it seems impossible \u2013 as an English teacher working two jobs, I don’t even earn enough to make ends meet.\u201d (Malika from Cairo) \n\n\n\n\u201cI love Jesus more than anything and want to be a witness for him in my community. But the suffering I experienced as a child in my family, a terrible explosion in my city, and recent months of bombing \u2013 all this has left its mark on me. I suffer from panic attacks and anxiety disorders. Can Jesus heal me?\u201d (Rabiaa from Lebanon) \n\n\n\n\u201cI was allowed to come here with some other female students. All men under 40 were denied visas. For most of us, this is our first trip outside the country. It\u2019s the first time we\u2019ve seen the sea or touched sand, even though it\u2019s not that far from our hometown. Our lives are really complicated, and our presence as Christians in the West Bank is made very difficult. How long can we endure? Which of our brothers and sisters outside our region are interested in us?\u201d (Selima from Palestine \u2013 pictured above) \n\n\n\n\u201cWith two fellow believers, I made the dangerous journey from our country. We drove through the desert for 33 hours so that we could leave without attracting attention. And what a special experience it has been to praise God together with so many Christians, to listen to his Word, to share with one another. Please pray for us, for our safety as Christians, and for our witness to Jesus to bear fruit.\u201d (Karim from a country on the Arabian Peninsula) \n\n\n\n(Names changed to protect identities) \n\n\n\nPray \n\n\n\n\nPraise God that students from across MENA enjoyed worship, fellowship, and learning together \u2013 \u201ca wonderful blessing united us under the blood of Jesus Christ\u201d. Pray for those processing deep pain and trauma \u2013 that they will find healing in the fullness of Christ and know the love of his people. \n\n\n\n\n\nPraise God that a significant number of participants had turned to Christ from a different faith background. Pray that they will be fruitful in sharing their faith among peers and that believers from a Christian background will be encouraged to reach across religious divides. \n\n\n\n\n\nPray for an end to war and violence in the region. And ask the Lord to guide and provide for young graduates grappling with difficult decisions about work and witness. \n\nThe post Feeling Pain and Hope appeared first on IFES.", "date_published": "2025-09-30T08:34:39+01:00", "date_modified": "2025-09-30T15:59:05+01:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Roja Jacob", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/roja-jacob/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/270fe6ae830fb4ad45dd518c8013666f.jpg?ver=1759669207" } ], "author": { "name": "Roja Jacob", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/roja-jacob/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/270fe6ae830fb4ad45dd518c8013666f.jpg?ver=1759669207" }, "image": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Participants-from-Palestine-e1759217600139.jpg" }, { "id": "https://ifesworld.org/?post_type=prayerline&p=48027", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/prayerline/pray-for-students-around-the-world/", "title": "Pray for students around the world", "content_html": "We\u2019ve put together these prayer cards to help you pray for the real needs of students around the globe. Find out what\u2019s going on in IFES student groups worldwide, and get praying for them on World Student Day on 16 October.
\nFirst prayer cards will be available for download on 9 October. All prayer cards will be ready for download on 15 October.
\nWorld Student Day is when we pray together as a global movement. You can take part wherever you are. Watch the video for some ideas to get started!
\nThe post Pray for students around the world appeared first on IFES.
\n", "content_text": "We\u2019ve put together these prayer cards to help you pray for the real needs of students around the globe. Find out what\u2019s going on in IFES student groups worldwide, and get praying for them on World Student Day on 16 October.\n\n\n\nFirst prayer cards will be available for download on 9 October. All prayer cards will be ready for download on 15 October.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n RESOURCE HUB \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n SIGN UP TO PRAY \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n WSD HOMEPAGE \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPrayer cards\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Download All Cards \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Europe \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Francophone Africa \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n English and Portuguese-Speaking Africa \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Latin America \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n South Asia \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Caribbean \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n South pacific \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n East Asia \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n North america \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Eurasia \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Middle East and North Africa \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEurope\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Download All Europe Cards \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Back to World Student Day homepage \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFrancophone Africa\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Download All Francophone Africa Cards \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Back to World Student Day homepage \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEnglish and Portuguese-Speaking Africa\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Download All EPSA cards \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Back to World Student Day homepage \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLatin America\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Download All Latin America Cards \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Back to World Student Day homepage \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSouth asia\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Download all South Asia cards \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Back to World Student Day homepage \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWorld Student Day is when we pray together as a global movement. You can take part wherever you are. Watch the video for some ideas to get started!\n\n\n\n\n\nCaribbean\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Download all Caribbean Cards \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Back to World Student Day homepage \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSouth pacific\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Download All South Pacific Cards \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Back to World Student Day homepage \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEast Asia\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Download all East Asia cards \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Back to World Student Day homepage \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNorth america\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Download all North America cards \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Back to World Student Day homepage \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEurasia\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Download all Eurasia cards \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Back to World Student Day homepage \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMENA\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Download all MENA cards \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n \n Back to World Student Day homepage \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe post Pray for students around the world appeared first on IFES.", "date_published": "2025-09-23T09:54:35+01:00", "date_modified": "2025-10-10T09:51:48+01:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Tim.Boland", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/tim-boland/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/2021787e4b2a866a6efcc474e3c84514.jpg?ver=1759669207" } ], "author": { "name": "Tim.Boland", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/tim-boland/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/2021787e4b2a866a6efcc474e3c84514.jpg?ver=1759669207" }, "image": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/GGD-Banner-30.png" }, { "id": "https://ifesworld.org/?post_type=prayerline&p=47956", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/prayerline/it-just-got-real/", "title": "It just got real", "content_html": "A team of 10 staff and students from North America were off to Georgia \u2013 but not the one in the United States. They were heading for the Caucasus. They\u2019d been invited to join with IFES movements from across Eurasia for Formacion, a 10-day gathering for student leaders.
\n\u201cMissions\u201d just got real!
\n\u201cIt was an exciting way to walk and pray alongside our students and staff who were interested in cross-cultural exposure and seeking God\u2019s heart for every nation. It was a beautiful exploration opportunity \u2013 to learn firsthand from IFES movements in Eurasia, to serve them, to develop relationships with them.\u201d
\nSo says co-leader of the team, Liz Dolan, who previously spent two years serving in the region through InterVarsity/USA\u2019s Link program. She mentions that the North American team was struck by how the Eurasian movements were finding creative ways to overcome various barriers to evangelism.
\nOne team member commented:
\n\u201cThe way that staff workers in sensitive countries had faith and still went about doing what they were doing really impacted me. It made me wonder about our situation in the US and think: \u2018Why should I be afraid when I have brothers and sisters in Eurasia who are not afraid of what they\u2019re doing?\u201d
\nAnother added:
\n\u201cThat place in the Bible that talks about living by the law unless it gets in the way of what God says to do \u2013 now I\u2019ve met people who actually have to do that \u2013 do stuff that\u2019s illegal!\u201d
\nSergei, Regional Secretary for Eurasia, says it was a blessing to watch the North American team take part in all the activities, making friends and sharing lives.
\n\u201cAt this Formacion, we rediscovered the beauty of short-term trips. For hosts, it\u2019s a great opportunity to receive visitors and share about our countries. For visitors, it\u2019s a listening journey, watching for how God might be developing a longer-term vision for international ministry.\u201d
\nIn addition to eye-opening conversations, Liz notes how God also spoke to their team through Scripture:
\n\u201cGod very personally met our team, with many finding clarity and direction in their lives. Some were affirmed in their current ministry, while others were spurred on to explore how to engage more deeply with the nations.\u201d
\nTeam members, including a staff worker and student from IVCF Canada, took many memories home: students from warring nations reconciled through Christ; the joyous diversity of \u201cculture night\u201d; and, for one, the delight of worshipping in Russian with other Russian-speakers for the first time.
\nBeing part of a global fellowship became thrillingly real \u2013 a reality they\u2019re now eager to share:
\n\u201cWe can get absorbed in what\u2019s happening on our side of the world \u2013 except for when we have a slide at a conference saying \u2018pray for these people\u2019. So I want to bring a greater awareness of what God\u2019s doing.\u201d
\n\u201cMy university group prays for one of these sensitive countries using the same picture and prayer requests every time. But here we got to shoot 16 minutes of video \u2013 real, specific prayer requests, actual faces and names. I’m really excited to bring that to our entire region.\u201d
\nIf you\u2019re in the USA and interested in serving locally or with another IFES movement, please visit InterVarsity Link and follow the prompts. Link is happy to help you discern God\u2019s invitation.
In Europe, you can explore cross-cultural student ministry with IFES InterAction.
The post It just got real appeared first on IFES.
\n", "content_text": "A team of 10 staff and students from North America were off to Georgia \u2013 but not the one in the United States. They were heading for the Caucasus. They\u2019d been invited to join with IFES movements from across Eurasia for Formacion, a 10-day gathering for student leaders. \n\n\n\n\u201cMissions\u201d just got real! \n\n\n\nA Beautiful Exploration \n\n\n\n\u201cIt was an exciting way to walk and pray alongside our students and staff who were interested in cross-cultural exposure and seeking God\u2019s heart for every nation. It was a beautiful exploration opportunity \u2013 to learn firsthand from IFES movements in Eurasia, to serve them, to develop relationships with them.\u201d \n\n\n\nSo says co-leader of the team, Liz Dolan, who previously spent two years serving in the region through InterVarsity/USA\u2019s Link program. She mentions that the North American team was struck by how the Eurasian movements were finding creative ways to overcome various barriers to evangelism. \n\n\n\nOne team member commented: \n\n\n\n\u201cThe way that staff workers in sensitive countries had faith and still went about doing what they were doing really impacted me. It made me wonder about our situation in the US and think: \u2018Why should I be afraid when I have brothers and sisters in Eurasia who are not afraid of what they\u2019re doing?\u201d \n\n\n\nAnother added: \n\n\n\n\u201cThat place in the Bible that talks about living by the law unless it gets in the way of what God says to do \u2013 now I\u2019ve met people who actually have to do that \u2013 do stuff that\u2019s illegal!\u201d \n\n\n\nSergei, Regional Secretary for Eurasia, says it was a blessing to watch the North American team take part in all the activities, making friends and sharing lives. \n\n\n\n\u201cAt this Formacion, we rediscovered the beauty of short-term trips. For hosts, it\u2019s a great opportunity to receive visitors and share about our countries. For visitors, it\u2019s a listening journey, watching for how God might be developing a longer-term vision for international ministry.\u201d \n\n\n\nA Buoyant Return \n\n\n\nIn addition to eye-opening conversations, Liz notes how God also spoke to their team through Scripture: \n\n\n\n\u201cGod very personally met our team, with many finding clarity and direction in their lives. Some were affirmed in their current ministry, while others were spurred on to explore how to engage more deeply with the nations.\u201d \n\n\n\nTeam members, including a staff worker and student from IVCF Canada, took many memories home: students from warring nations reconciled through Christ; the joyous diversity of \u201cculture night\u201d; and, for one, the delight of worshipping in Russian with other Russian-speakers for the first time. \n\n\n\nBeing part of a global fellowship became thrillingly real \u2013 a reality they\u2019re now eager to share: \n\n\n\n\u201cWe can get absorbed in what\u2019s happening on our side of the world \u2013 except for when we have a slide at a conference saying \u2018pray for these people\u2019. So I want to bring a greater awareness of what God\u2019s doing.\u201d \n\n\n\n\u201cMy university group prays for one of these sensitive countries using the same picture and prayer requests every time. But here we got to shoot 16 minutes of video \u2013 real, specific prayer requests, actual faces and names. I’m really excited to bring that to our entire region.\u201d \n\n\n\nPray \n\n\n\n\nGive thanks for the cross-cultural fellowship at Formacion \u2013 both within and beyond Eurasia. Thank God for the North American team\u2019s eye-opening, faith-strengthening, relationship-building, and ministry-affirming experience. \n\n\n\n\n\nPray for each team member as they pass on what they learned \u2013 may the Lord greatly use them to inspire others towards a deeper concern for God\u2019s work on campuses across the world. \n\n\n\n\n\nPray for InterVarsity/USA\u2019s Urbana25 (28-31 December), when \u201cGen Z will be invited to see firsthand what God is doing globally and discover their role in his mission\u201d. Ask that final preparations will run smoothly so that a new generation \u201cfollow God, wherever he leads\u201d.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re in the USA and interested in serving locally or with another IFES movement, please visit InterVarsity Link and follow the prompts. Link is happy to help you discern God\u2019s invitation. In Europe, you can explore cross-cultural student ministry with IFES InterAction. \nThe post It just got real appeared first on IFES.", "date_published": "2025-09-16T04:55:00+01:00", "date_modified": "2025-09-16T13:32:00+01:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Roja Jacob", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/roja-jacob/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/270fe6ae830fb4ad45dd518c8013666f.jpg?ver=1759669207" } ], "author": { "name": "Roja Jacob", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/roja-jacob/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/270fe6ae830fb4ad45dd518c8013666f.jpg?ver=1759669207" }, "image": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/georgian_meal_team-scaled.jpg" }, { "id": "https://ifesworld.org/?post_type=prayerline&p=47898", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/prayerline/standing-firm-stepping-forward/", "title": "Standing Firm, Stepping Forward", "content_html": "Around one quarter of the world\u2019s population live in it. And most of its countries have a thriving IFES ministry. Yet, due to security concerns, it\u2019s often difficult to convey God\u2019s work in and through students there. This is the South Asia region.\u00a0\u00a0
\nSo, in this Prayerline, we bring you words from four national movements, given in response to an IFES worldwide ministry survey.
\nHere are some snapshots of challenges and joys within the region.
\nThe movement in a Muslim-majority country says:
\n\u201cLegally, there is freedom to share the gospel. However, in practice, doing so is extremely sensitive due to deeply rooted cultural and social norms. When someone calls on Jesus Christ as their Saviour, they often face significant persecution. This can come in the form of rejection, verbal or physical abuse, social isolation, or even expulsion from their own family or community. The emotional and relational cost is high, making it a major challenge for new believers to stand firm in their faith.\u201d
\n\u201cYet, many of our students actively share their faith with their friends and invite them to events. As a result of their bold witness and personal relationships, several new students have come to know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.\u201d
\nIn different movements, students are witnessing to Christ through their actions:
\n\u201cThrough our regular blood donation program, student groups have received appreciation from local government.\u201d
\n\u201cYouth migration has become a critical issue in our country, with thousands leaving in search of employment abroad. This trend also affects Christian youths, many of whom are influenced by the same aspirations. However, some of our students made a different choice. Inspired by the vision and encouragement of our movement, they decided to remain and pursue a career in government service \u2013 a field with very few Christian representatives. Last year they successfully became government employees, setting a remarkable example of faith and service.\u201d
\n\u201cStudents from two communities that were once divided by decades of civil war are learning to understand and appreciate each other\u2019s backgrounds, forming meaningful friendships rooted in Christ.\u201d
\nAnd movements testify to the formative impact of the ministry:
\n\u201cS started as a student with very little confidence, but she has grown as a leader with good spiritual disciplines. She takes initiative and contributes significantly to the growth of the fellowship. She led the 40 days of national prayer initiative.\u201d
\nOne student leader says:
\n\u201cI was so busy in my daily life, striving for my studies and my career. I\u2019d thought that I couldn\u2019t completely serve God. But at the leadership camp he taught me how I can serve him by my life in my community. Through the teaching sessions at camp, God helped me to rebuild a strong relationship with him again.\u201d
\nInterested to learn more about what IFES movements shared in the worldwide ministry survey? Watch out for September\u2019s Conexi\u00f3n blog!
\nThe post Standing Firm, Stepping Forward appeared first on IFES.
\n", "content_text": "Around one quarter of the world\u2019s population live in it. And most of its countries have a thriving IFES ministry. Yet, due to security concerns, it\u2019s often difficult to convey God\u2019s work in and through students there. This is the South Asia region.\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\n\nSo, in this Prayerline, we bring you words from four national movements, given in response to an IFES worldwide ministry survey. \n\n\n\nHere are some snapshots of challenges and joys within the region. \n\n\n\nStanding for Jesus \n\n\n\nThe movement in a Muslim-majority country says: \n\n\n\n\u201cLegally, there is freedom to share the gospel. However, in practice, doing so is extremely sensitive due to deeply rooted cultural and social norms. When someone calls on Jesus Christ as their Saviour, they often face significant persecution. This can come in the form of rejection, verbal or physical abuse, social isolation, or even expulsion from their own family or community. The emotional and relational cost is high, making it a major challenge for new believers to stand firm in their faith.\u201d \n\n\n\n\u201cYet, many of our students actively share their faith with their friends and invite them to events. As a result of their bold witness and personal relationships, several new students have come to know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.\u201d \n\n\n\nLiving the gospel \n\n\n\nIn different movements, students are witnessing to Christ through their actions: \n\n\n\n\u201cThrough our regular blood donation program, student groups have received appreciation from local government.\u201d \n\n\n\n\u201cYouth migration has become a critical issue in our country, with thousands leaving in search of employment abroad. This trend also affects Christian youths, many of whom are influenced by the same aspirations. However, some of our students made a different choice. Inspired by the vision and encouragement of our movement, they decided to remain and pursue a career in government service \u2013 a field with very few Christian representatives. Last year they successfully became government employees, setting a remarkable example of faith and service.\u201d \n\n\n\n\u201cStudents from two communities that were once divided by decades of civil war are learning to understand and appreciate each other\u2019s backgrounds, forming meaningful friendships rooted in Christ.\u201d \n\n\n\nGrowing in leadership \n\n\n\nAnd movements testify to the formative impact of the ministry: \n\n\n\n\u201cS started as a student with very little confidence, but she has grown as a leader with good spiritual disciplines. She takes initiative and contributes significantly to the growth of the fellowship. She led the 40 days of national prayer initiative.\u201d \n\n\n\nOne student leader says: \n\n\n\n\u201cI was so busy in my daily life, striving for my studies and my career. I\u2019d thought that I couldn\u2019t completely serve God. But at the leadership camp he taught me how I can serve him by my life in my community. Through the teaching sessions at camp, God helped me to rebuild a strong relationship with him again.\u201d \n\n\n\nPray \n\n\n\n\nGive thanks for many students who are open to the good news and for those who have chosen to follow Christ, despite facing pressure or persecution for it. Ask that God will protect and strengthen them and that their testimonies and lives will draw others to the beauty of Jesus. \n\n\n\n\n\nPray for the South Asian IFES movements as they equip students to engage with social issues like emigration and divisions over ethnicity, class, and caste. May their living out of the gospel bring blessing to their societies. \n\n\n\n\n\nPray for student leaders who are struggling with confidence, busyness, or ambition \u2013 that they will know the boldness, peace, and direction of the Holy Spirit. \n\n\n\n\nInterested to learn more about what IFES movements shared in the worldwide ministry survey? Watch out for September\u2019s Conexi\u00f3n blog! \nThe post Standing Firm, Stepping Forward appeared first on IFES.", "date_published": "2025-09-02T07:00:00+01:00", "date_modified": "2025-09-02T13:35:59+01:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Roja Jacob", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/roja-jacob/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/270fe6ae830fb4ad45dd518c8013666f.jpg?ver=1759669207" } ], "author": { "name": "Roja Jacob", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/roja-jacob/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/270fe6ae830fb4ad45dd518c8013666f.jpg?ver=1759669207" }, "image": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/BSFB-group.jpg" }, { "id": "https://ifesworld.org/?post_type=prayerline&p=47747", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/prayerline/everybody-grows/", "title": "Everybody Grows", "content_html": "It\u2019s a growing ministry.
\nFOCUS, the IFES movement in Uganda, now serves 132 Christian Union groups (CUs) across 100+ campuses. But, with just 11 full-time staff and limited resources to hire more, the task of supporting student leaders with personal presence felt insurmountable \u2013 until they revived the Short-Term Experience in Ministry (STEM) program.
\nThis year, STEM has given seven graduates the opportunity to receive hands-on training while ministering among students. \u201cIt was an inevitable responsibility that we needed to pursue,\u201d says Patrick Barasa, FOCUS General Secretary.
\nNow, both students and staff are growing.
\nThe impact of the program is already evident. On campuses where STEM staff have been deployed, student ministry is thriving. At the Allied Institute of Health Sciences, Samuel, the CU Chair, sees the difference:
\n\u201cThanks to the expertise and mentorship of STEM staff, we\u2019ve been much more effective in planning and implementing our activities. As they\u2019ve walked alongside us, we\u2019ve developed as leaders \u2013 in knowledge and practical skills. And their active participation in outreach events has boosted our capacity to reach out to peers.\u201d
\nSuch positive relationships are typical. The immediate staff presence on campus means that CU leaders can easily access FOCUS support and receive guidance on championing witness and discipleship in ways that are relevant for their situation.
\nAnd it\u2019s not just the students that are benefiting \u2013 STEM staff are also experiencing personal and spiritual growth. Maureen Nabwire, serving in the Busoga region, notes:
\n\u201cOver the past few months, I\u2019ve been able to learn how to associate and communicate with people from different societies, how to relate to and engage with students. I\u2019ve realized that I can truly rely on God as my provider even through the challenges of mobilizing resources.\u201d
\nAt the start of the year-long program, the carefully selected graduates are prepared for service with training on personal care and development as well as ministry skills, like how to faithfully handle Scripture and effectively engage in mission. This is supplemented by regular mentoring and care from senior staff and volunteers.
\nSTEM staff have grown in other ways, too. Robert Wabulimbo, who\u2019s been serving Samuel\u2019s CU, adds: \u201cI\u2019ve learned to raise ministry funds and to be accountable for writing reports on finances and activities.\u201d
\nGeneral Secretary Patrick concludes:
\n\u201cWith the growing number of CUs, this strategy not only gives us the best shot at effectively discipling students. It\u2019s also a way of nurturing graduates who will impact our churches and society.\u201d
\nIf you\u2019d like to partner with the students and associates in Uganda who\u2019ll be giving to FOCUS, you can donate here.
\nThe post Everybody Grows appeared first on IFES.
\n", "content_text": "It\u2019s a growing ministry. \n\n\n\nFOCUS, the IFES movement in Uganda, now serves 132 Christian Union groups (CUs) across 100+ campuses. But, with just 11 full-time staff and limited resources to hire more, the task of supporting student leaders with personal presence felt insurmountable \u2013 until they revived the Short-Term Experience in Ministry (STEM) program. \n\n\n\nThis year, STEM has given seven graduates the opportunity to receive hands-on training while ministering among students. \u201cIt was an inevitable responsibility that we needed to pursue,\u201d says Patrick Barasa, FOCUS General Secretary. \n\n\n\nNow, both students and staff are growing. \n\n\n\nStudents Mentored \n\n\n\nThe impact of the program is already evident. On campuses where STEM staff have been deployed, student ministry is thriving. At the Allied Institute of Health Sciences, Samuel, the CU Chair, sees the difference: \n\n\n\n\u201cThanks to the expertise and mentorship of STEM staff, we\u2019ve been much more effective in planning and implementing our activities. As they\u2019ve walked alongside us, we\u2019ve developed as leaders \u2013 in knowledge and practical skills. And their active participation in outreach events has boosted our capacity to reach out to peers.\u201d \n\n\n\nSuch positive relationships are typical. The immediate staff presence on campus means that CU leaders can easily access FOCUS support and receive guidance on championing witness and discipleship in ways that are relevant for their situation. \n\n\n\nStaff Mobilised \n\n\n\nAnd it\u2019s not just the students that are benefiting \u2013 STEM staff are also experiencing personal and spiritual growth. Maureen Nabwire, serving in the Busoga region, notes: \n\n\n\n\u201cOver the past few months, I\u2019ve been able to learn how to associate and communicate with people from different societies, how to relate to and engage with students. I\u2019ve realized that I can truly rely on God as my provider even through the challenges of mobilizing resources.\u201d \n\n\n\nAt the start of the year-long program, the carefully selected graduates are prepared for service with training on personal care and development as well as ministry skills, like how to faithfully handle Scripture and effectively engage in mission. This is supplemented by regular mentoring and care from senior staff and volunteers. \n\n\n\nSTEM staff have grown in other ways, too. Robert Wabulimbo, who\u2019s been serving Samuel\u2019s CU, adds: \u201cI\u2019ve learned to raise ministry funds and to be accountable for writing reports on finances and activities.\u201d \n\n\n\nGeneral Secretary Patrick concludes: \n\n\n\n\u201cWith the growing number of CUs, this strategy not only gives us the best shot at effectively discipling students. It\u2019s also a way of nurturing graduates who will impact our churches and society.\u201d \n\n\n\nPray \n\n\n\n\nGive thanks for this year\u2019s STEM program \u2013 \u201cthrough earnest prayer and strategic requests, God provided the resources necessary for the training and relaunch\u201d. Thank God for the growth that students, like Samuel, and staff, like Maureen and Robert, have experienced. \n\n\n\n\n\nPray that FOCUS will be able to realise its vision of having at least five STEM staff in each of its eight regions \u2013 and that this will foster further growth for students and graduates. \n\n\n\n\n\nAsk the Lord to stir hearts on 1 September, when FOCUS invites students and associates to give at least 10,000 Ugandan shillings (around 3 US dollars) to support discipleship programs. And pray for a breakthrough with paperwork approvals and financial needs for a building project at the FOCUS office in Kampala. \n\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019d like to partner with the students and associates in Uganda who\u2019ll be giving to FOCUS, you can donate here. \nThe post Everybody Grows appeared first on IFES.", "date_published": "2025-08-19T00:12:19+01:00", "date_modified": "2025-08-21T10:25:24+01:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Tim.Boland", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/tim-boland/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/2021787e4b2a866a6efcc474e3c84514.jpg?ver=1759669207" } ], "author": { "name": "Tim.Boland", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/tim-boland/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/2021787e4b2a866a6efcc474e3c84514.jpg?ver=1759669207" }, "image": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/FOCUS-Uganda.jpg" }, { "id": "https://ifesworld.org/?post_type=prayerline&p=47419", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/prayerline/difficult-topics-direct-talk/", "title": "Difficult Topics, Direct Talk", "content_html": "\u201cI never realized that sex could be positively taught about from up front. I was always told that it was wrong, something to be ashamed of.\u201d
\nThis young woman was not alone. The other 150 students attending TSCF Papua New Guinea\u2019s Bible Summit in June also welcomed the opportunity to talk about intimate relationships and receive guidance from Scripture.
\nJuliette, a TSCF staff worker, notes:
\n\u201cIn Port Moresby (the capital), young people are strongly influenced by western cultural trends. This has forced some churches to address relationship issues. However, most of our students come from rural areas, where the only teaching they\u2019ve had is from \u2018personal development class\u2019.\u201d
\nSo, the team decided that this year\u2019s Summit should help students gain a biblical perspective and see Christ as Lord over sexuality and marriage.
\nOne third-year law student described the experience as \u201cdeeply eye-opening\u201d. He felt challenged about walking into a relationship and just \u201cwinging it\u201d. He wants to be more intentional.
\n\u201cThe summit made it clear that love is not about satisfying your desire, but about commitment, sacri\ufb01ce, and helping the other person grow closer to God. If I truly care about someone, I must help guard their heart, mind, and body from the damage of ungodly intimacy. That means setting clear boundaries and walking in accountability.\u201d
\nHe also left with a solid understanding of worth and integrity:
\n\u201cI\u2019ve come to recognise that my worth, security, and identity come from Christ alone, not from relationships, approval, sexual experience, or cultural expectations of \u2018being the man\u2019. I now see this not as a restriction but as freedom \u2013 a joyful, powerful way of living that honours God and protects what he values most: his image in me and others.\u201d
\nThe summit\u2019s teaching not only addressed how students approach relationships now. It also prepared them for marriage by helping them reassess cultural norms and expectations. Juliette explains:
\n\u201cIn this culture, so much is assumed rather than discussed. This means high levels of domestic violence continue, along with a poor understanding of family roles and responsibilities, including many \u2018absent fathers\u2019. And polygamy is widespread, generally accepted as a sign of male strength.\u201d
\nDavid Walter, IFES Regional Secretary for the South Pacific, points out how strategic this Summit has been:
\n\u201cIt\u2019s superb to see the national movement tackling something that\u2019s rarely talked about in the churches. Intimate partner violence, marriage breakdown, and sexual assault are widespread problems. So, exploring the biblical perspective like they did is also a great way of serving society.\u201d
\nThe post Difficult Topics, Direct Talk appeared first on IFES.
\n", "content_text": "\u201cI never realized that sex could be positively taught about from up front. I was always told that it was wrong, something to be ashamed of.\u201d \n\n\n\nThis young woman was not alone. The other 150 students attending TSCF Papua New Guinea\u2019s Bible Summit in June also welcomed the opportunity to talk about intimate relationships and receive guidance from Scripture. \n\n\n\nJuliette, a TSCF staff worker, notes: \n\n\n\n\u201cIn Port Moresby (the capital), young people are strongly influenced by western cultural trends. This has forced some churches to address relationship issues. However, most of our students come from rural areas, where the only teaching they\u2019ve had is from \u2018personal development class\u2019.\u201d \n\n\n\nSo, the team decided that this year\u2019s Summit should help students gain a biblical perspective and see Christ as Lord over sexuality and marriage. \n\n\n\nRestriction to Freedom \n\n\n\nOne third-year law student described the experience as \u201cdeeply eye-opening\u201d. He felt challenged about walking into a relationship and just \u201cwinging it\u201d. He wants to be more intentional. \n\n\n\n\u201cThe summit made it clear that love is not about satisfying your desire, but about commitment, sacri\ufb01ce, and helping the other person grow closer to God. If I truly care about someone, I must help guard their heart, mind, and body from the damage of ungodly intimacy. That means setting clear boundaries and walking in accountability.\u201d \n\n\n\nHe also left with a solid understanding of worth and integrity: \n\n\n\n\u201cI\u2019ve come to recognise that my worth, security, and identity come from Christ alone, not from relationships, approval, sexual experience, or cultural expectations of \u2018being the man\u2019. I now see this not as a restriction but as freedom \u2013 a joyful, powerful way of living that honours God and protects what he values most: his image in me and others.\u201d \n\n\n\nSilence to Service \n\n\n\nThe summit\u2019s teaching not only addressed how students approach relationships now. It also prepared them for marriage by helping them reassess cultural norms and expectations. Juliette explains: \n\n\n\n\u201cIn this culture, so much is assumed rather than discussed. This means high levels of domestic violence continue, along with a poor understanding of family roles and responsibilities, including many \u2018absent fathers\u2019. And polygamy is widespread, generally accepted as a sign of male strength.\u201d \n\n\n\nDavid Walter, IFES Regional Secretary for the South Pacific, points out how strategic this Summit has been: \n\n\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s superb to see the national movement tackling something that\u2019s rarely talked about in the churches. Intimate partner violence, marriage breakdown, and sexual assault are widespread problems. So, exploring the biblical perspective like they did is also a great way of serving society.\u201d \n\n\n\nPray \n\n\n\n\nGive thanks for the vision to discuss such difficult topics at Summit, for the engagement with Scripture, and for the positive impact on participants. Pray that students will continue to bring cultural norms before the light of God\u2019s Word and choose to honour him.\u202f \n\n\n\n\n\nAs the one male TSCF staff worker (apart from the General Secretary) departs to further his studies, ask the Lord to stir young men to join the sta\ufb00 team. Currently, five young female staff support student leaders across different campuses.\u202f \n\n\n\n\n\nStudents and staff from TSCF will soon travel to the Solomon Islands for the South Paci\ufb01c Regional Conference (11-14 September). Pray that the teaching and cross-cultural fellowship will strengthen student witness in each movement \u2013 and ask that those without local IFES ministry will be inspired to start it. \n\nThe post Difficult Topics, Direct Talk appeared first on IFES.", "date_published": "2025-08-05T16:43:22+01:00", "date_modified": "2025-08-07T10:48:01+01:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Tim.Boland", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/tim-boland/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/2021787e4b2a866a6efcc474e3c84514.jpg?ver=1759669207" } ], "author": { "name": "Tim.Boland", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/tim-boland/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/2021787e4b2a866a6efcc474e3c84514.jpg?ver=1759669207" }, "image": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/PNG-fun.png" }, { "id": "https://ifesworld.org/?post_type=prayerline&p=47292", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/prayerline/giving-god-space/", "title": "Giving God Space", "content_html": "The midsummer boat trip wasn\u2019t a typical outreach event (but it\u2019s now a tradition!). And the upcoming European Student Festival won\u2019t be your typical IFES conference either. So, what\u2019s going on in Latvia?
\nThe IFES national movement, LKSB, is creating space \u2013 and waiting to see what God will do in it.
\nThe midsummer boat trip \u2013 three days\u2019 camping down a river \u2013 started a few years ago. COVID restrictions and lack of enthusiasm for large organized events led the team to choose a simple approach. LKSB students invited their non-Christian friends to join them on a boat trip \u2013 with no \u201cagenda\u201d. No pre-planned devotional, no Bible studies, no talks.
\nUlvis Kravalis, LKSB General Secretary, explains:
\n\u201cIt\u2019s about experiencing adventure on a river with Christians. It\u2019s an organic way of connecting with each other and God. Through friendship, round the campfire, deep and meaningful conversations open up. We\u2019ve even had six people come to Christ through it!\u201d
\nOne summer under the stars, two Christian students naturally shared their testimonies. Ulvis recalls: \u201cthe atmosphere became so thick that we felt like we could touch God’s love\u201d. When a LKSB staff worker asked if anyone wanted prayer, a female student responded. As they were praying, someone had a picture: she was chasing around, seeking value in men’s opinions of her rather than in the beauty that Christ sees in her. That night, she surrendered her life to Jesus.
\nIt\u2019s this desire for organic, personal interactions that has also been incorporated into a regionwide student conference in August. Latvia will host the European Student Festival (ESF) in Jelgava, bringing together around 500 students from 40 movements across the continent.
\nWith the theme \u201cKingdom Come\u201d, it will have the usual elements of an IFES event \u2013 quality Bible teaching, hands-on workshops, and cross-cultural sharing in small groups. But it\u2019s more than a typical conference. Students will also be able to enjoy sports, art, music, dance, good food \u2013 and the beach!
\nChristian Pichler, Associate IFES Regional Secretary for Europe and Director of ESF, says:
\n\u201cWe believe in the power of people meeting people. We learn so much simply by meeting other individuals and hearing their stories. We want to create space for these encounters. So, this is the idea \u2013 it’s more of a festival with people choosing activities, hanging out together, and having time for conversations.\u201d
\nUlvis agrees:
\u201cThere\u2019ll be talks of a very high quality \u2013 even life–changing \u2013 so, I’m really looking forward to that. But what excites me most is the potential for those unplanned, \u2018accidental\u2019 conversations \u2013 standing in a line for food, passing by at a stall in the exhibition hall, or chatting after playing ball together.\u201d
\nHear more about Christian\u2019s and Ulvis\u2019s hopes for the European Student Festival in this Voices of IFES podcast episode:
\nThe post Giving God Space appeared first on IFES.
\n", "content_text": "The midsummer boat trip wasn\u2019t a typical outreach event (but it\u2019s now a tradition!). And the upcoming European Student Festival won\u2019t be your typical IFES conference either. So, what\u2019s going on in Latvia? \n\n\n\nThe IFES national movement, LKSB, is creating space \u2013 and waiting to see what God will do in it. \n\n\n\nSpace by the River \n\n\n\nThe midsummer boat trip \u2013 three days\u2019 camping down a river \u2013 started a few years ago. COVID restrictions and lack of enthusiasm for large organized events led the team to choose a simple approach. LKSB students invited their non-Christian friends to join them on a boat trip \u2013 with no \u201cagenda\u201d. No pre-planned devotional, no Bible studies, no talks. \n\n\n\nUlvis Kravalis, LKSB General Secretary, explains: \n\n\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s about experiencing adventure on a river with Christians. It\u2019s an organic way of connecting with each other and God. Through friendship, round the campfire, deep and meaningful conversations open up. We\u2019ve even had six people come to Christ through it!\u201d \n\n\n\nOne summer under the stars, two Christian students naturally shared their testimonies. Ulvis recalls: \u201cthe atmosphere became so thick that we felt like we could touch God’s love\u201d. When a LKSB staff worker asked if anyone wanted prayer, a female student responded. As they were praying, someone had a picture: she was chasing around, seeking value in men’s opinions of her rather than in the beauty that Christ sees in her. That night, she surrendered her life to Jesus. \n\n\n\nSpace at the Festival \n\n\n\nIt\u2019s this desire for organic, personal interactions that has also been incorporated into a regionwide student conference in August. Latvia will host the European Student Festival (ESF) in Jelgava, bringing together around 500 students from 40 movements across the continent. \n\n\n\nWith the theme \u201cKingdom Come\u201d, it will have the usual elements of an IFES event \u2013 quality Bible teaching, hands-on workshops, and cross-cultural sharing in small groups. But it\u2019s more than a typical conference. Students will also be able to enjoy sports, art, music, dance, good food \u2013 and the beach! \n\n\n\nChristian Pichler, Associate IFES Regional Secretary for Europe and Director of ESF, says: \n\n\n\n\u201cWe believe in the power of people meeting people. We learn so much simply by meeting other individuals and hearing their stories. We want to create space for these encounters. So, this is the idea \u2013 it’s more of a festival with people choosing activities, hanging out together, and having time for conversations.\u201d \n\n\n\nUlvis agrees: \n\n\n\n\u201cThere\u2019ll be talks of a very high quality \u2013 even life–changing \u2013 so, I’m really looking forward to that. But what excites me most is the potential for those unplanned, \u2018accidental\u2019 conversations \u2013 standing in a line for food, passing by at a stall in the exhibition hall, or chatting after playing ball together.\u201d \n\n\n\nPray \n\n\n\n\nPraise God for how he\u2019s working through typical, planned events and atypical, unplanned encounters \u2013 and give thanks for those who\u2019ve been reached through LKSB\u2019s friendship and prayers. \n\n\n\n\n\nPray that it won\u2019t be a \u201ctypical summer\u201d for all those attending ESF (16-21 August) \u2013 that they will have an eye-opening and heart-awakening experience of what \u201cKingdom Come\u201d can look like on their campuses. \n\n\n\n\n\nPray for the organising team, speakers, seminar leaders, and volunteers \u2013 that they will know the Lord\u2019s leading and protection. And ask that he will provide for higher-than-expected costs. \n\n\n\n\nHear more about Christian\u2019s and Ulvis\u2019s hopes for the European Student Festival in this Voices of IFES podcast episode:\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe post Giving God Space appeared first on IFES.", "date_published": "2025-07-22T08:00:00+01:00", "date_modified": "2025-07-22T15:25:46+01:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Roja Jacob", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/roja-jacob/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/270fe6ae830fb4ad45dd518c8013666f.jpg?ver=1759669207" } ], "author": { "name": "Roja Jacob", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/roja-jacob/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/270fe6ae830fb4ad45dd518c8013666f.jpg?ver=1759669207" }, "image": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/LKSB-boat-trip.jpeg" }, { "id": "https://ifesworld.org/?post_type=prayerline&p=47197", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/prayerline/seriously/", "title": "Seriously?", "content_html": "Evangelism is religious propaganda.
\nThis is the view of many students in Moldova. On campus, talk of Jesus isn\u2019t often taken seriously. Veaceslav Tu\u0219inschi, Director for CSC, the IFES national movement, explains:
\n\u201cStudent life is marked by materialism and individualism. Some students may agree to a brief discussion on Christian topics, but that\u2019s usually out of politeness, mild curiosity, or a desire to contradict you.\u201d
\nSo, CSC students in Chi\u0219in\u0103u were deeply encouraged when invitations to their \u201cSerios?\u201d mission week led to serious interest from peers.
\nChristina first met Gabriel at the beginning of the events week. She was on an internship at the hospital with several other medical students. While offering invites to friends, she felt prompted to offer one to Gabriel too. He was shy \u2013 and busy \u2013 and didn\u2019t come all week. But he turned up for the final evening, when 70 students gathered at an Uzbek restaurant for games, live music, a kebab, and a talk.
\nTo follow up the week, various groups were planned \u2013 socials, discussion groups, and a seeker\u2019s Bible study. Gabriel chose the Bible study!
\nVeaceslav reports, \u201cHe\u2019s come each week open and interested in learning more about God, grace, salvation, and forgiveness of sins. His questions are sincere and his heart is open to receive.\u201d
\nEugenia, a first-year philosophy student, was also committed to inviting friends to Serios? events. Three coursemates were willing to attend. They too joined the final evening, with one leaving his details to find out more.
\nBut he couldn\u2019t wait. When the program ended, he hung around chatting with Veaceslav and two others.
\n\u201cAfter we\u2019d left the caf\u00e9, we had a long conversation with him. He was amazed that such evenings were being organised. It was getting late, so we started to head for our homes. But he insisted on walking each of us to our trolleybus stops \u2013 it seemed like he was so intrigued that he wasn\u2019t yet ready to part ways.\u201d
\nEugenia also followed up with her coursemates. For Easter weekend, she hosted a picnic in the park so that they could read about Jesus on the cross and she invited them to the Sunday celebration at her church.
\nThe post Seriously? appeared first on IFES.
\n", "content_text": "Evangelism is religious propaganda. \n\n\n\nThis is the view of many students in Moldova. On campus, talk of Jesus isn\u2019t often taken seriously. Veaceslav Tu\u0219inschi, Director for CSC, the IFES national movement, explains: \n\n\n\n\u201cStudent life is marked by materialism and individualism. Some students may agree to a brief discussion on Christian topics, but that\u2019s usually out of politeness, mild curiosity, or a desire to contradict you.\u201d \n\n\n\nSo, CSC students in Chi\u0219in\u0103u were deeply encouraged when invitations to their \u201cSerios?\u201d mission week led to serious interest from peers. \n\n\n\nBusy, Shy, but Interested \n\n\n\nChristina first met Gabriel at the beginning of the events week. She was on an internship at the hospital with several other medical students. While offering invites to friends, she felt prompted to offer one to Gabriel too. He was shy \u2013 and busy \u2013 and didn\u2019t come all week. But he turned up for the final evening, when 70 students gathered at an Uzbek restaurant for games, live music, a kebab, and a talk. \n\n\n\nTo follow up the week, various groups were planned \u2013 socials, discussion groups, and a seeker\u2019s Bible study. Gabriel chose the Bible study! \n\n\n\nVeaceslav reports, \u201cHe\u2019s come each week open and interested in learning more about God, grace, salvation, and forgiveness of sins. His questions are sincere and his heart is open to receive.\u201d \n\n\n\nBeyond Curious \n\n\n\nEugenia, a first-year philosophy student, was also committed to inviting friends to Serios? events. Three coursemates were willing to attend. They too joined the final evening, with one leaving his details to find out more. \n\n\n\nBut he couldn\u2019t wait. When the program ended, he hung around chatting with Veaceslav and two others. \n\n\n\n\u201cAfter we\u2019d left the caf\u00e9, we had a long conversation with him. He was amazed that such evenings were being organised. It was getting late, so we started to head for our homes. But he insisted on walking each of us to our trolleybus stops \u2013 it seemed like he was so intrigued that he wasn\u2019t yet ready to part ways.\u201d \n\n\n\nEugenia also followed up with her coursemates. For Easter weekend, she hosted a picnic in the park so that they could read about Jesus on the cross and she invited them to the Sunday celebration at her church. \n\n\n\nPray \n\n\n\n\nPraise God for the serious interest generated through the Serios? events week in Chi\u0219in\u0103u. One staff worker remarked, \u201cI was shocked how many of the non-Christian students listened so attentively to every word!\u201d. \n\n\n\n\n\nPray for those who heard the gospel for the first time and the 50+ students who gave contact details for follow up \u2013 that their interest will deepen over their summer break. And pray for CSC\u2019s \u201cWelcome to the university, welcome to the community\u201d outreach planned for Chi\u0219in\u0103u and B\u0103l\u021bi in September. \n\n\n\n\n\nGive thanks for CSC Moldova student leaders like Eugenia and Cristina. Please pray for the 16 student leaders from Moldova who are attending the IFES Eurasia Formacion training in Georgia, 20-31 July. Students from a dozen countries will learn and share around the theme of \u201cRooted\u201d \u2013 ask that they will be firmly established in their faith and calling.\n\nThe post Seriously? appeared first on IFES.", "date_published": "2025-07-08T10:31:26+01:00", "date_modified": "2025-07-11T13:24:40+01:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Roja Jacob", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/roja-jacob/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/270fe6ae830fb4ad45dd518c8013666f.jpg?ver=1759669207" } ], "author": { "name": "Roja Jacob", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/roja-jacob/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/270fe6ae830fb4ad45dd518c8013666f.jpg?ver=1759669207" }, "image": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/photo_2025-03-27_13-31-31-rotated.jpg" }, { "id": "https://ifesworld.org/?post_type=prayerline&p=46804", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/prayerline/heart-meets-vision/", "title": "Heart Meets Vision", "content_html": "When Kayley first encountered her local IFES movement \u2013 The Jesus Students, Suriname (JS) \u2013 she was quite young:
\n\u201cI first experienced the joy of student ministry in high school. When I started university, I knew I couldn\u2019t leave that behind!\u201d
\nBut it wasn\u2019t that simple: she had no campus group to connect with. Despite JS groups thriving in almost 30 schools, the group at the University of Suriname had ceased some years ago.
\nThis was a challenge that troubled Lorain, a JS staff worker. When she\u2019d been a student at the university two decades earlier, she\u2019d been involved in leading JS\u2019s \u201cGroups investigating God\u201d. So, when she returned as staff in 2017, she was deeply disappointed to hear of the group\u2019s demise.
\nIn 2020, she hoped to start a group with high school students who graduated that year. But some started work, others went abroad for study, and others weren\u2019t interested. \u201cThe journey wasn\u2019t easy!\u201d, Lorain recalls.
\nBut she wasn\u2019t ready to give up. In 2023-2024, under the leadership of a young new JS General Secretary, Lorain met a handful of promising high school students \u2013 including Kayley. \u202f\u00a0
\nAnd Kayley was ready to give it a try:
\n\u201cI started as a small group leader at the campus not knowing what would come of it but trusting that God wanted his light to shine here, too. It hasn\u2019t been easy, but we\u2019ve seen him work, drawing together students across faculties and deepening our faith.\u201d
\nKayley heads up the group in the Law Faculty, while two of her peers started groups in the Social Sciences and Technical Faculties.
\nSince then, those two groups have merged due to one leader stepping down \u2013 an indication of how challenging the role is. Lorain comments: \u201cI have to say, the work on campus is not for the weak! But Kayley is indeed brave. She is really holding on.\u201d
\nIn addition to the general pressures of student life \u2013 like stress, the negative impact of social media, poor self-esteem, and poverty \u2013 the student leaders are also pressed for time. It\u2019s been hard for them to find opportunities to physically meet together, so next year many meetings will take place online.
\nNevertheless, the coming together of heart and vision is enabling ministry to flourish \u2013 students are now leading groups weekly, offering prayer for students before exams, handing out Bible verses with candy, and even participating in a new podcast.
\nTo learn more about high school ministry across IFES movements, keep an eye out for the next Conexi\u00f3n blog, due 3 July.
\nThe post Heart Meets Vision appeared first on IFES.
\n", "content_text": "When Kayley first encountered her local IFES movement \u2013 The Jesus Students, Suriname (JS) \u2013 she was quite young: \n\n\n\n\u201cI first experienced the joy of student ministry in high school. When I started university, I knew I couldn\u2019t leave that behind!\u201d \n\n\n\nBut it wasn\u2019t that simple: she had no campus group to connect with. Despite JS groups thriving in almost 30 schools, the group at the University of Suriname had ceased some years ago. \n\n\n\nA Tenacious Vision \n\n\n\nThis was a challenge that troubled Lorain, a JS staff worker. When she\u2019d been a student at the university two decades earlier, she\u2019d been involved in leading JS\u2019s \u201cGroups investigating God\u201d. So, when she returned as staff in 2017, she was deeply disappointed to hear of the group\u2019s demise. \n\n\n\nIn 2020, she hoped to start a group with high school students who graduated that year. But some started work, others went abroad for study, and others weren\u2019t interested. \u201cThe journey wasn\u2019t easy!\u201d, Lorain recalls. \n\n\n\nBut she wasn\u2019t ready to give up. In 2023-2024, under the leadership of a young new JS General Secretary, Lorain met a handful of promising high school students \u2013 including Kayley. \u202f\u00a0\n\n\n\nA Willing Heart \n\n\n\nAnd Kayley was ready to give it a try: \n\n\n\n\u201cI started as a small group leader at the campus not knowing what would come of it but trusting that God wanted his light to shine here, too. It hasn\u2019t been easy, but we\u2019ve seen him work, drawing together students across faculties and deepening our faith.\u201d \n\n\n\nKayley heads up the group in the Law Faculty, while two of her peers started groups in the Social Sciences and Technical Faculties. \n\n\n\nSince then, those two groups have merged due to one leader stepping down \u2013 an indication of how challenging the role is. Lorain comments: \u201cI have to say, the work on campus is not for the weak! But Kayley is indeed brave. She is really holding on.\u201d \n\n\n\nHearty Resilience and Visionary Results \n\n\n\nIn addition to the general pressures of student life \u2013 like stress, the negative impact of social media, poor self-esteem, and poverty \u2013 the student leaders are also pressed for time. It\u2019s been hard for them to find opportunities to physically meet together, so next year many meetings will take place online. \n\n\n\nNevertheless, the coming together of heart and vision is enabling ministry to flourish \u2013 students are now leading groups weekly, offering prayer for students before exams, handing out Bible verses with candy, and even participating in a new podcast. \n\n\n\nPray \n\n\n\n\nGive thanks for JS ministry in schools, for the way God brought together Kayley and Lorain, and for their faithfulness in the face of many challenges. \n\n\n\n\n\nThey ask for courage and strength to continue the mission and would like us to \u201cpray for the university students \u2013 that God will open and soften their hearts for his Word so that they will have the opportunity to personally encounter Christ as Saviour.\u201d \n\n\n\n\n\nPray that the Lord will provide more leaders who are willing and able to be trained to continue these groups and start others \u2013 especially for the new academic year at the beginning of October. \n\n\n\n\nTo learn more about high school ministry across IFES movements, keep an eye out for the next Conexi\u00f3n blog, due 3 July.\nThe post Heart Meets Vision appeared first on IFES.", "date_published": "2025-06-24T10:46:53+01:00", "date_modified": "2025-07-02T15:43:03+01:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Bryn Rickards", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/bryn-rickards/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/8672abde7ce0c7ed71f1b1cc3ec261a2.jpg?ver=1759668304" } ], "author": { "name": "Bryn Rickards", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/bryn-rickards/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/8672abde7ce0c7ed71f1b1cc3ec261a2.jpg?ver=1759668304" }, "image": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/JS-3.jpg" }, { "id": "https://ifesworld.org/?post_type=prayerline&p=46666", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/prayerline/a-beautiful-partnership/", "title": "A Beautiful Partnership", "content_html": "\u201cWe\u2019re seeing beautiful things \u2013 the Holy Spirit is clearly at work in the lives of young people.\u201d
\nOn one campus in Canada, Tommy, a staff worker with GBUC (the French-speaking IFES movement in Canada) is working with Christina from Power to Change. They\u2019re experiencing an exciting season of curiosity and conversions as they partner with each other, with students \u2013 and with God.
\nIn the last couple of years, Tommy and Christina have noticed a spiritual shift. The campus group used to mainly comprise international students who were churched and familiar with GBU/IFES in their own countries. But, today, the majority are new Christians and those seeking faith.
\nTommy says it\u2019s like \u201ca huge discovery group\u201d. Students just turn up and say, \u201cI’m new to faith, I’m curious\u201d. A few times, students have come and asked for Bibles. Last year, they met a student who turned to Christ through TikTok:
\n\u201cWhen she started her spiritual search, she was open to everything except Christ. But for some reason, the Lord kept making sure the algorithm showed her Christian stuff. She started going to church in her neighborhood, and eventually, she and her mother became Christians!\u201d
\nAs Tommy and Christina follow God\u2019s lead, they\u2019re also listening to the students. Recently, Christina had designed different options for a poster to advertise the group\u2019s activities. When the students voted for their favourite, the winner was the one that Tommy and Christina liked the least.
\nBut God was at work again: \u201cI think we had about forty students contact us because of that poster. And three students even took a photo of it to show their mothers!\u201d. Christina adds, \u201cI love these students. I’ve never been so challenged. It\u2019s their different stories, their deep searching.\u201d
\nThe university administration here has been cautious about the activities of religious groups on campus, leading to the formation of an umbrella NGO-like group for Christians. This gave Tommy and Christina the impetus for their ministry partnership:
\n\u201cWe have the same vision, we understand each other: we want to serve all students, whatever their denomination.\u201d
\nTogether \u2013 with the students \u2013 the group now offers a suite of activities on a different theme each week, through prayer times, Bible studies, an outreach stand, and a dessert and discussion evening.
\nOne week, the outreach stand topic \u2013 \u201cTell us about a woman who inspires you\u201d \u2013 caused such a positive response from students that the story-sharing was noticed by university staff on an adjacent careers day stand. One of them said, \u201cI’m feeling so emotional. This is such a beautiful moment\u201d.
\nThe post A Beautiful Partnership appeared first on IFES.
\n", "content_text": "\u201cWe\u2019re seeing beautiful things \u2013 the Holy Spirit is clearly at work in the lives of young people.\u201d \n\n\n\nOn one campus in Canada, Tommy, a staff worker with GBUC (the French-speaking IFES movement in Canada) is working with Christina from Power to Change. They\u2019re experiencing an exciting season of curiosity and conversions as they partner with each other, with students \u2013 and with God. \n\n\n\nPartnering with God \n\n\n\nIn the last couple of years, Tommy and Christina have noticed a spiritual shift. The campus group used to mainly comprise international students who were churched and familiar with GBU/IFES in their own countries. But, today, the majority are new Christians and those seeking faith. \n\n\n\nTommy says it\u2019s like \u201ca huge discovery group\u201d. Students just turn up and say, \u201cI’m new to faith, I’m curious\u201d. A few times, students have come and asked for Bibles. Last year, they met a student who turned to Christ through TikTok: \n\n\n\n\u201cWhen she started her spiritual search, she was open to everything except Christ. But for some reason, the Lord kept making sure the algorithm showed her Christian stuff. She started going to church in her neighborhood, and eventually, she and her mother became Christians!\u201d \n\n\n\nPartnering with Students \n\n\n\nAs Tommy and Christina follow God\u2019s lead, they\u2019re also listening to the students. Recently, Christina had designed different options for a poster to advertise the group\u2019s activities. When the students voted for their favourite, the winner was the one that Tommy and Christina liked the least. \n\n\n\nBut God was at work again: \u201cI think we had about forty students contact us because of that poster. And three students even took a photo of it to show their mothers!\u201d. Christina adds, \u201cI love these students. I’ve never been so challenged. It\u2019s their different stories, their deep searching.\u201d \n\n\n\nPartnering in Campus Ministry \n\n\n\nThe university administration here has been cautious about the activities of religious groups on campus, leading to the formation of an umbrella NGO-like group for Christians. This gave Tommy and Christina the impetus for their ministry partnership: \n\n\n\n\u201cWe have the same vision, we understand each other: we want to serve all students, whatever their denomination.\u201d \n\n\n\nTogether \u2013 with the students \u2013 the group now offers a suite of activities on a different theme each week, through prayer times, Bible studies, an outreach stand, and a dessert and discussion evening. \n\n\n\nOne week, the outreach stand topic \u2013 \u201cTell us about a woman who inspires you\u201d \u2013 caused such a positive response from students that the story-sharing was noticed by university staff on an adjacent careers day stand. One of them said, \u201cI’m feeling so emotional. This is such a beautiful moment\u201d. \n\n\n\nPray \n\n\n\n\nPraise God for the \u201cbeautiful things\u201d that he\u2019s been doing on this campus in Canada \u2013 for the curiosity among students, the ministry partnerships, and the group\u2019s growing witness. \n\n\n\n\n\nPray that the spiritual awakening will continue and deepen: for more encounters with curious students, good engagement at the outreach stand, and new students to attend the dessert and discussion evenings. \n\n\n\n\n\nGive thanks for the partnership between Tommy and Christina and ask that a similar spirit of collaboration can be experienced everywhere on campuses where more than one student ministry group exists. \n\n\n\n\n\nThe post A Beautiful Partnership appeared first on IFES.", "date_published": "2025-06-10T11:00:00+01:00", "date_modified": "2025-06-13T15:54:28+01:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Roja Jacob", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/roja-jacob/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/270fe6ae830fb4ad45dd518c8013666f.jpg?ver=1759669207" } ], "author": { "name": "Roja Jacob", "url": "https://ifesworld.org/en/author/roja-jacob/", "avatar": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/litespeed/avatar/270fe6ae830fb4ad45dd518c8013666f.jpg?ver=1759669207" }, "image": "https://ifesworld.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/GBUC-iktus-e1749549836640.jpg" } ] }